K-W Chamber 'conditionally' supports LRT

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The Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce says it supports light rail transit, but several issues must still be addressed before moving forward.

While the Chamber says "inaction is not an option," it wants some outstanding concerns dealt with by regional staff.

In a media release, Ian McLean, president and CEO of the Chamber said "While we support LRT and ask the Region of Waterloo to expeditiously move forward on a transit system that will facilitate economic and population growth, the Chamber also believes that a series of issues must be addressed."

McLean added that the transit proposal must be "fiscally responsible without placing undue burden on regional taxpayers."

According to the Chamber the list of issues includes:

impact on property taxes

public-private partnership options

future increases in development charges

compensation for businesses impacted by construction

Significant upcoming meetings on transit

The conditional endorsement comes as two significant and lengthy meetings on rapid transit are set to take place.

On Tuesday, 60 registered delegations are expected to make five to ten minute presentations at a public meeting that is expected to last nearly nine hours.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, 44 delegations vying to speak are expected to stretch a planning meeting to six hours. The Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce is one of the groups on that delegates list.

Both meetings could go longer if additional delegations register to speak.

Also on Wednesday, there will be a vote at regional council on whether or not to hold a referendum on the transit issue.